Chris Boden

Taylor, in his first start since September, won and then missed a spot kick on the hour, and within a minute, City scored the only goal of the game.

Matt Taylor took responsibilty from the spot

The former West Ham man, whose last goal was a penalty against the Clarets last season for the Hammers, took responsibility ahead of the likes of Danny Ings, who scored from Burnley’s last spot kick against Aston Villa.

And Dyche said: “He’s got a history of taking them, he gets it, grabs the ball. It’s a great sign when they do that.

“He struck it well, his heel just shifted as he hit it, so I don’t know if he just dragged it a bit.

“He sent the keeper the wrong way, and it’s just one of those things.

Matt Taylor drops to the floor in despair after his miss

“It looked to me there was only one person who wanted it, and that was Matty.

“He gripped the ball, he wanted it, simple as that.

“I’ve got no problem with that.”

And Dyche admitted there was no need to console Taylor: “We have one of the most honest groups in football, so they know the feeling when it’s like that, so they’re not rallying round him, he’s a man, not a boy.

“He’s been around this block a long time.”

Dyche felt Burnley didn’t deserve to lose, as they went five points adrift of safety with four games remaining: “The game was bigger than than moment, although that was obviously a big moment.

“We’ve created enough chances again, the performance has been good enough to win the game, particularly second half, but we haven’t won.

“It’s the cruel side of it. We miss a penalty and they get a sort of hopeful goal, that’s the way it’s run for them the last few games, and I think they had one more chance at the death when we were chasing the game.

“It’s a blow to us, but we’ve been written off all season, so it’s not new territory for us.”